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Cardinals blank Rockies behind Thompson

Apr 3, 2008 - 10:28 PM ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Brad Thompson proved to be too much for the Colorado Rockies.

The righthander pitched 6 2/3 solid innings on the mound and also drove in a key run at the plate on Thursday, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-0 victory over the Rockies.

Thompson (1-0), who started the season as St. Louis' third starter due to a rash of injuries to the rotation, scattered six hits and walked two while striking out a career-high six batters. The Cardinals are without ace Chris Carpenter, Mark Mulder, Joel Pineiro and newcomer Matt Clement - all recovering from an assortment of injuries.

"Our defense made plays all day, which happens when you keep the ball down and make your pitches," Thompson said. "They kept coming through, especially when my stuff wasn't really good later, and I think I just survived at the end."

Thompson helped his cause with a two-out RBI single in the fifth inning to plate the Cardinals' final run. Ryan Ludwick walked, stole second and scored when Thompson singled to right field.

St. Louis scored twice in the third inning off Colorado righthander Ubaldo Jimenez (0-1). Aaron Miles and Albert Pujols led off the frame with hits, then Rick Ankiel and Troy Glaus followed with run-scoring singles.

Pujols and Glaus each finished with two hits to pace the St. Louis offense.

Garrett Atkins finished with three hits for the reigning National League champion Rockies.

One of those hits came in the fifth inning when Atkins singled to left field, but Skip Schumaker threw out Todd Helton at home for the final out of the inning.

"I thought he (Helton) would go but just did not want to rush it," said Schumaker of his one-hop strike to catcher Jason LaRue. "I guess my teammates thought it was just fine."

It was the last of three hits in the series with runners in scoring position - two coming Thursday - in 25 at-bats for the Rockies, who scored five runs while stranding 27 runners in St. Louis, where they have lost nine of their last 12 games.

Atkins also doubled in the second inning with one out but was stranded at third as Thompson got Brad Hawpe and Jeff Baker to ground out.

"I have never seen him (Thompson) look this good," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. "We normally do very well against righthanders, in general, and we did not look good at all."

Matt Holliday, runner-up for the National League MVP award in 2007, had one hit in 10 at-bats in the series.

"The kind of swings I got here are no way to start the season," Holliday said. "They made it tough on me, and today, I made it even tougher on myself."

Ron Villone and Anthony Reyes bridged the gap to St. Louis closer Jason Isringhausen who pitched a perfect ninth to record his first save of the season.

"The bullpen has been good and a factor. It is a good way to start the season - as good a club as they are," St. Louis manager LaRussa said. "And for (Reyes) to go into the eighth inning of a close game and to strike out three very good hitters ... we've never questioned his toughness. Anthony's outing was very impressive."